Drinking Coffee in the Financial District: Sip Opens in Post Office Square

The glass cube that sits just inside Post Office Square has seen some turnover in the past few years: Milk Street Cafe moved out and was replaced by Z Square, which recently closed all of its locations. One has to wonder why these reasonably-priced, high quality restaurants struggled in this gorgeous location, with its patio access and view of the oasis that is Post Office Square. High rent? Low margins? We can't be sure (although in Z Square's case, executive mismanagement and license violations may be partly to blame). But it makes us want to root for Sip, which opened yesterday in this space.

The fare is much the same as Z Square's in substance: It's all $7 sandwiches and better-than-average teas and coffees. But the focus is now on the cafe's commitment to sustainability and organic foods, reflected in a fancy new paint job in tones of chocolate brown and lime green, local breads like Iggy's on the menu and organic loose-leaf teas lined up neatly on the counter.

When this Bostonist waffled between the Mediterranean tuna sandwich and the eggplant with feta on ciabatta (both displayed lusciously in the case up front) and later scrunched her brow as she debated the relative merits of organic Earl Grey vs. rooibos tea, the owner, Jared Mancini, took notice and asked, "Do you need help deciding?" (His recommendation: the peppermint green tea, with its ideal blend of stimulating and calming properties, perfect for finishing out the afternoon in the Financial District.) Mancini, a fresh-faced and exhilarated (terrified?)-looking young proprietor, has done time behind the counters of other high-end coffee spots like L'Aroma on Newbury Street, and seemed excited to have his own space to serve food and beverages the way he likes it. Here's hoping his expertise, plus the additional dash of karma brought on by his cafe's professed concern for the community and environment, is enough to keep Sip in this space for longer than its predecessors.

Sip Cafe
Zero Post Office Square
617-338-3080
www.sipboston.com